Surprise strike

You can't let Elena, or whoever it really is, get away with things any longer. A direct confrontation is bound to end badly for you. Obviously this group – at least Elena and the person on the other end of the phone – have a plan. Given it's so far seen them turn your friend Jimmy, your girlfriend Jessica, her mother, a fortune teller, a photographer and a college girl into wearable costumes, you doubt it's a plan to further world peace.

You crouch down behind Elena's car, listening to the conversation close. So far, the words 'you know how that goes' are the ones that concern you most: the result of your refusal to join whatever scheme they have. You already know that you're going to refuse, point blank. They underestimated your loyalty to your own moral code.

Elena ends the call, and flicks away her cigarette, taking a moment to compose herself. This is it, you decide: no turning back now. Lucy Binder's frame rises, her bluer-than blue eyes glaring with your malicious intent. Whoever the Stranger truly is, they're shocked by this turn of events. You can see Elena gasp in horror as you rise, a look of incomprehension and fear as she notices the pen in Lucy's grip. For a moment she stands there.

“Now wait...” she manages to blurt out.

You don't.

You're not going to risk her escaping. Lucy's body drives forward like a coiled spring, her chubby legs moving you forward as quickly as her short skirt will allow. You shove the pen tight against 'Elena's skin', and activate it. Your opponent struggles, but almost immediately the dusky, beautiful woman ceases to resist as she hollows, then crumples into a pile at your feet.

“Is that 'how it goes'?” you ask, Lucy's usually sweet voice tainted with venom. You need to move quickly now. You grab the fallen cell then 'Elena', the skin still draped with that midnight blue gown, glancing around nervously to make sure nobody's watching your bizarre theatrics. Coast clear, you open the boot and deposit your opponent inside. Your mouth turns dry as you notice the two bags inside: Jessica in one, Denise Hunt in the other. You need to help them soon.

There's nothing you can do now, though. You slam the boot and climb into Elena's car. A quick search of her bag reveals yet another pen – this time one with several buttons – and her car keys. The rest of the items look mundane, probably the genuine Elena's belongings.

You waste no time in hitting the road.

(Author: Collider)